In post-classical [[Latin]] (from Vetus Latina) the form misterium occurs with the sense ‘ecclesiastical service’ more usually associated with ministerium MINISTRY n. Confusion between mysterium and ministerium in post-classical Latin is not surprising, given the phonetic and semantic similarity between the two [[words]]. The distinction between 3 and MYSTERY n.2 1a, and the distinction between 10 and MYSTERY n.2 2, can only be [[arbitrary]] from an etymological point of view. | In post-classical [[Latin]] (from Vetus Latina) the form misterium occurs with the sense ‘ecclesiastical service’ more usually associated with ministerium MINISTRY n. Confusion between mysterium and ministerium in post-classical Latin is not surprising, given the phonetic and semantic similarity between the two [[words]]. The distinction between 3 and MYSTERY n.2 1a, and the distinction between 10 and MYSTERY n.2 2, can only be [[arbitrary]] from an etymological point of view. |